Boys basketball: The poll

Outlook: Player of the Year Aquille Carr and the Clippers have unfinished business after falling in the Class 4A state title game last year. Transfers Shakir Brown and Nyme Manns add to a deep and talented roster.

Outlook: A young and dynamic backcourt featuring junior Kameron Williams and sophomore Phil Booth will provide much of the scoring, while senior forward Phil Lawrence provides leadership and stability to the frontcourt.

3. St. Frances

Coach: Nick Myles

Last season: 19-10, No. 6

Postseason: MIAA A and BCL finalist

Outlook: With senior center Josh Forney and transfer guards Daquan Cook and Tevon Saddler providing a dynamic inside-outside game, the Panthers have unlimited potential under Myles, who replaced Mark Karcher just before the start of practice.

4. Dunbar

Coach: Cyrus Jones

Last season: 24-3, No. 4

Postseason: Class 1A state champion

Outlook: Starters Aaron Parham, Donte Pretlow and Evan Singletary are back to give the Poets a successful nucleus that few area teams can match. Added depth comes from last year's Baltimore City champion JV team.

5. Milford Mill

Coach: Albert Holley

Last season: 25-2, No. 3

Postseason: Class 3A state champion

Outlook: The new-look Millers, led by Glenelg Country transfer forward Isaiah Miles, are aiming for the same old results as they bid for a third straight state title. Owings Mills transfers Kyle Thomas and Tyson Smith are also key.

6. John Carroll

Coach: Tony Martin

Last season: 33-4, No. 1

Postseason: MIAA A and BCL champion

Outlook: With the standout backcourt duo of Malcolm McMillan and Ronald Scott lost to graduation, the Patriots will lean on versatile senior forward Jarred Jones and a deep and talented frontcourt to maintain success.

7. Lake Clifton

Coach: Herman "Tree" Harried

Last season: 16-7, unranked

Postseason: Class 2A North regional quarterfinalist

Outlook: Senior guard Aaron Parks is primed to take on the lead role, with City transfer Lionel Greene joining him in the backcourt. Harried likes his team's chemistry and believes the players have the athleticism and heart to defend against the stockpile of talent in Baltimore City.

8. McDonogh

Coach: Donta Evans

Last season: 19-10, No. 13

Postseason: MIAA A semifinalist

Outlook: After making steady strides with wins over Mount St.Joseph and St. Frances last season, the Eagles are primed to make a championship run in the MIAA behind the dominating play of forward Kayel Locke.

9. City

Coach: Daryl Wade

Last season: 16-9, No. 11

Postseason: Class 2A North regional semifinalist

Outlook: Senior center Charles Tapper brings a physical presence around the basket, and first-year coach Wade will lean heavily on a fine sophomore class led by forward Dwayne Morgan. Look for the Knights to improve on the go.

10. Digital Harbor

Coach: Johnnie Grimes

Last season: 16-7, No. 6

Postseason: Class 2A state champion

Outlook: Senior guard-forward Ronald Epps is the lone starter back from last year's title team, but Grimes is counting on Forest Park transfer guard Sharod Hartgrove and a talented group from last year's Baltimore City runner-up JV team.

11. Edmondson

Coach: Darnell Dantzler

Last season: 19-3, No. 8

Postseason: Class 2A North regional finalist

Outlook: The junior backcourt of Darius Walker and Glenelg Country transfer Isaiah Tripp has big shoes to fill in graduated standouts Rodney Pratcher and Kavon Pyatt, but Dantzler is confident in the duo and likes his size up front.

12. Annapolis

Coach: John Brady

Last season: 19-5, unranked

Postseason: Class 4A East regional semifinalist

Outlook: Key additions put the Panthers a notch ahead in a balanced Anne Arundel County field. Oak Hill transfer guard Jourdan Stickler is an impact perimeter player, and South River transfer guard Delazso Smith further bolsters the backcourt.

13. Calvert Hall

Coach: John Bauersfeld

Last season: 15-15, unranked

Postseason: BCL semifinalist

Outlook: The Cardinals will present mismatches with a quick, versatile lineup led by guards Julian Davis and Justin Beck. But can they win against bigger teams in the MIAA and BCL?

14. Centennial

Coach: Chad Hollwedel

Last season: 20-7, No. 15

Postseason: Class 3A state finalist

Outlook: The Eagles have nine players back from last year's playoff run, led by the backcourt duo of Keonte Potts and Ben Goldsmith. The team's depth and versatility give it favorable matchups in Howard County.

15. Glenelg Country

Coach: Kevin Quinlan

Last season: 28-3, No. 10

Postseason: MIAA B champion

Outlook: The Dragons make the move to the challenging MIAA A Conference. Minus All-Metro forward Isaiah Miles, who transferred to Milford Mill, the team is banking on forward Warren Powers and the supporting cast to step up.